Please join me in welcoming Norman to the RSBFS team with his first post!
At one point or another, all of the Japanese manufacturers were at the top when it came to making the best bikes for the track or the street. Suzuki with the GSXR750, Yamaha with the R1, Kawasaki with the ZX11, and Honda with the CBR.
The result of all the manufacturers wanting to be on the top step of the podium or the stretched street race king was a very fast and successful development race by manufacturers all over the world and especially in Japan – the motorcycle mecca of the world. So many models, significant refreshes, and units were produced throughout the years that you can still easily get your hands on these bikes today. You don’t have to blow a 5 digit-wide hole in your savings account to do it either. This here 900RR Fireblade is an example of Honda’s turn at the top.
1997 CBR900RR for sale on Bring A Trailer
from the listing:
The bike was modified under prior ownership with a trimmed rear fender, a tinted windscreen, and a Yoshimura slip-on muffler, and it was acquired by the seller in March 2022, reportedly from its second owner. Service under current ownership is said to have included cleaning and synchronizing the carburetors, replacing the battery, changing the oil, and installing a battery charger lead. This SC33 CBR900RR shows 12k miles and is offered at no reserve with an owner’s manual, a tool kit, two keys, and a clean New Jersey title in the seller’s name
The auction is currently no-reserve on BAT at $3,100.
Fortunately, the seller does a pretty good job at explaining the history and specs. Doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination. There are instances in life when the imagination is great but it can be expensive when it comes to buying used bikes!
At first glance, the slip-on seems like a Yoshimura RS1. Not the worst thing you could do to this bike. It’ll probably sound pretty good but something I would confirm over video.
Not sure where it’ll go but this is a pretty nice example aside from a couple quirks. It’s not often these pop up on marketplace anymore and if they do they’re usually in rough shape or clapped out. I saw a clean yellow one go for $3,400 in 3/2020 and kicked myself for missing that.
The power and weight numbers are still relevant today plus these bikes are reliable so you can enjoy them out on the roads or just keep it tucked away. Parts availability is still good for these and eBay has lots of spares. How about some Keihin FCR39’s for a bit more power?!
This generation of Honda’s Fireblade isn’t the prettiest but it’s hard to say it looks flat out ugly and the front has aged better than people might have guessed. The rest of the body and cockpit look great. Simple. Classic. Analog. Pretty much every automotive experience Honda offered in the 1990s has aged well. Also, Fireblade is just too good of a name.
-Norman
I actually like the enclosed front headlamp housing. And I owned a ’94 blk/wht/flo red model from new…
If this wasn’t clear across the country from me on the West coast, I’d seriously consider it just for a sporty, nostalgic ride I wouldn’t obsess over in keeping mint conditionNew…
Keep up the good finds, gents!
First year 900RRs (especially the red/white/blue) have gone for crazy money on BAT lately. As in $50k type of crazy money. I don’t know how the later models are now doing relative to that, but I’m guessing anything under $8k is a deal in today’s market. These are great bikes and tough to beat for a ‘getting close to vintage’ hypersport street bike.
The same seller, a bike flipper, just sold a 95 900rr on BaT with a supposed 1700 mi for $12,300. I believe a realistic price for that bike. The two 93 R/W/B that sold for $50k+ on BaT was just two guys with deep pockets and big ego’s. This seller sounded a little disappointed that his 95 didn’t sell for more. I love the 900rr’s. I purchased one new in 98 that I still have and love riding through the canyons. I also have a 97 Red one that only has 3k miles still on it’s original tires. That one only goes around the block a couple of times a month. This one listed with 12k miles should make someone happy with many miles ahead to enjoy.
@Shoji
Agreed about the street riding use case. You have either have no money and the bike is being sold on the street over or you have money and the bike is clear on the other side of the country!
Thanks for reading!
Norman
@Billy B
I think the late models will start do well as time goes on. I think the key thing about the first two gens (especially the first) right now is that 1990s styling is just incredible to look at and that gets lost over the generations.
Thanks for reading!
Norman
@NorCal Joe
I think the rpm and hp/torque mix of these would be great for canyons. Probably pulls strong out of sweepers all the way to redline.
Thanks for reading!
Norman
Nicely sold at $12,750
dc
The seller did great. I’m just not a big fan of sellers who write stuff like “This is the last of my mid 90s CBRs, it was really tough to see the other 2 go” when, according to the ad, he just purchased it in March of 2022 and the previous one he sold was purchased by him at the end of 2021. I personally don’t do business with these types of people. I don’t have a problem with people flipping bikes, but don’t make it sound like you have had it for a long time and hate to see it go.